Treatments - Scoliosis (Page 4)
Since bracing only works to stop the progression of the curvature in a growing child, it is not used for those children who are already skeletally mature or almost mature. It is only used for younger children (e.g. girls who are about 11 to 13 years old, and boys who are about 12 to 14 years). If an older child has a curve greater than 30 degrees and is almost mature, his or her curvature will be treated with observation only, as there is little growth left and bracing will be unlikely to do much good.
Unfortunately, even with appropriate bracing, some scoliosis spinal curves will continue to progress. For these cases, especially if the child is very young, bracing may still be continued to allow the child to grow before fusing the spine.
Scoliosis Surgery
Surgery for adolescents with scoliosis is only recommended when their curves are greater than 40 to 45 degrees and continuing to progress, and for most patients with curves that are greater than 50 degrees. Scoliosis surgery is designed to reduce the patients curvature and fuse the spine to prevent any further progression of the deformity.
Severe curvatures (greater than 50 degrees) are more likely to progress in adulthood. If a curve is allowed to progress to 70 - 90 degrees, it will not only result in a very disfiguring deformity, but will start to result in cardiopulmonary compromise. This happens because the curve in the spine rotates the chest and closes down the space available for the lungs and heart.
